them see how polite he
would be with me--I said, `Oh, Robert, why has the off leader got
gaiters on to-day?' His face was just as blank as if I had never
spoken. We drove along in silence for about ten minutes, while I got
hotter and hotter. Then he cleared his throat deliberately, and said,
`Well, in the first place--he needs 'em! and in the second place--he
likes 'em! and in the third place--he can't do without 'em!' I felt so
small!"

A forced "Humph!" being the only reception which the story received,
Hilary braced herself to fresh efforts. Two or three experiences of
North-country manners were suggested by the last; she related them in
her liveliest manner, and even forced herself to laugh merrily at the
conclusion. "So funny, wasn't it? Don't you think it was good?"

The char-a-banc had now reached Bowness, and, for the first time, she
ventured a glance into her companion's face. He met her eyes and
smiled, the slow, sweet smile that transformed his expression.

"I know someone who is good," he said meaningly. "You have talked
yourself out of breath trying to drive away the evil spirit. It's too
bad! I am ashamed of my own stupidity."

"I wish--" began Hilary eagerly, and stopped short as suddenly as she
had begun.

"You wish? Yes, what is it? Tell me, do! I want to hear--"

Hilary paused for a moment and turned her head over her shoulder. A
reassuring clatter of voices came to her ear. Rex, Norah, and Lettice
chattering away for their lives, and Edna's soft laughter greeting each
new joke. The young folks were too much taken up with their own
conversation to have any attention to spare for the occupants of the box
seat. She could speak without fear of being overheard.

"I wish you would try not to be so cross with yourself for being lame!"

Mr Rayner winced in the old, pained manner, but the next moment he
began to smile.

"`Cross'! That's a curious way of expressing it. How am I cross?"

"Oh, always--every way! Every time it is alluded to in the most distant
way, you flare up and get angry. You have snubbed me unmercifully three
or four times."

"I have snubbed you? I!" He seemed overcome with consternation. "Miss
Hilary, what an accusation. I have never felt anything but sincerest
gratitude for your sympathy--I suppose I am stupid. I ought to be
hardened to it by this time, but after being so strong, so proud of my
strength, it is a bitter pill to find myself handicapped